Franken Beats Frankenstein

If democracy were a pizza shop, it would truly be free. Because the political equivalent of getting your pizza in 30 minutes or less just ain't happening all the time.

After nearly eight months of waiting, the Minnesota State Supreme Court finally named Al Franken the winner over incumbent Norm Coleman. GOP Gov. Pawlenty is expected to do the right thing and immediately certify the election results as he'd promised.

Of course, all this could've been avoided if Coleman had just done the classy thing months ago and conceded. But no. Representing a party that puts itself and its supremacy and primacy above all else including America, Norm Coleman, a guy who was one tragic air crash away from permanent irrelevance, put himself above both. And, believe it or not, he still isn't done fighting, as Coleman is now threatening to get the federal courts involved.

After protesting that Franken didn't respect the will and voice of the people when he was ahead by several hundred votes, Coleman started singing a different tune when a recount showed that Franken had indeed gotten more votes. When Coleman challenged Franken's lead of 225 votes, he only shot himself in the foot and gave Franken an additional 87.

But a 312 vote split in a state in which 2.4 million votes were cast ought to teach us all a couple of lessons. First, it underscores the importance of voting and the dictum that every vote counts. Secondly, let us not forget Coleman's shameful and shameless behavior in keeping Minnesota from having a second senator to vote on some of the most momentous legislation in recent American history.

When Republicans tell you how how much their party loves America, remind them of Norm Coleman.